Ronaldo moves onto 99 as Portugal qualify for Euro 2020

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo in action with Luxembourg’s Maxime Chanot and Aldin Skenderovic, Soccer Football, Euro 2020 Qualifier, Group B, Luxembourg v Portugal, Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg, 17 November – Reuters

LUXEMBOURG (Reuters): Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 99th international goal as the defending champions edged past Luxembourg 2-0 in difficult conditions away from home yesterday to qualify for Euro 2020.

Bruno Fernandes broke the deadlock in the 39th minute and Ronaldo wrapped it up with four minutes left to ensure that Portugal finished second in Group B with 17 points, three ahead of Serbia who drew 2-2 with Ukraine.

Diogo Jota’s shot appeared to be going in any way but Ronaldo prodded it over to claim the goal.

He is one short of joining Iran’s Ali Daei, the only player to have scored a century of goals for a national team.

“I would have been very proud to have scored my first goal for the national team, but the important thing is we won,” said Jota. “It doesn’t matter who scores – we are in the Euros and that is what we wanted.”